Can we just take a moment to consider how awesome it is that the Tigers got this guy for what essentially boils down to Cameron Maybin? We should never, ever take this for granted.

Anyway, Miguel Cabrera is batting third this year, and he’s skinny – at least by Miguel Cabrera standards, anyway. Don’t think his offensive production will drop much. He might hit the gaps a bit more than he homers, but it’s hard to go wrong. The big question comes defensively with Cabrera’s move to third. I, for one, don’t think he’ll be as cover-your-eyes bad as some people think he will be. Walkoff Woodward pretty well covered the defensive angle with a conclusive and honest “we really don’t know, but based on the raw numbers, he’s really not going to be staggeringly worse than what the Tigers had there before.” Now, that’s not to say he’ll win a Gold Glove or anything, and we’ll have to see how he responds to bunts and weak ground balls and the like, but frankly, I think Cabrera’s offensive prowess combined with Prince Fielder’s will be worth the defensive downgrade.

And don’t forget, Cabrera has a lot of pride and an excellent work ethic. I think he wants this, and I have no reason to believe that he won’t work his rear end off to make sure he’s at least competent at it. He did the same at first base, after all. Cabrera has a legitimate chance of winning the MVP Award next year. Hey, I have to say something bold in these posts, don’t I?

Comments

No worries. The Tigers have found a Betemit(sorry I had to go Pearl Jam on you) to play 3rd base. He won’t be horrible at all, I don’t believe. You are correct, he is prideful and will make every effort to be at the very least competent.